Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood

This book engages the reader heads on, just as Trevor Noah does as the host of the popular “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central in the US. Trevor Noah was born in the apartheid regime and grew up during the transition years of South Africa to a rainbow nation as we know it today. The stories in the book are of his childhood and early youth. From the stories one gets an insight into the practical working of the apartheid and how it affected the life of people who did not ‘belong’, like Trevor Noah who was born to a Xhosa mother and a Swiss German Father. Through his stories he brings out how colour and language became tools of separating people during the apartheid. Noah also shows through amusing and enterprising personal anecdotes how these very tools could be used to overcome the very barriers of apartheid set to create. The stories Trevor Noah tells of his life are intense, colourful and humorous. At times he comes out smartly at times he is the silent accomplice who watches his friends get caught. There are many situations he unwittingly gets into and some because he cannot resist the temptation of his mischievous mind. At times he reminds of Tom Sawyer. Even though he had to struggle with poverty and suffer due to his mixed colour he comes across with clarity and humor. His writing is direct and peppered with nuggets of wit and turn of phrase. The bond between feisty Noah and his independent and self made mother is the most forceful aspect in almost all stories. Despite his mother’s discipline and severity; his angst and rebelliousness the two share an enduring and touching relationship. The book is a collection of stories not a chronological biography, at times the switch between childhood and youth can be confusing and also leads to some repetition. However, it gives the author more liberty in bringing out various facets of his life of a mixed child in apartheid ridden South Africa. It would have been fascinating to know how of Trevor Noah's journey to US and the successful position he is in today. Maybe, that is for another book. For now we have this readable, lovely and humorous book.

A truly wonderful book! I didn’t expect to finish it so soon. Trevor Noah shares his story with great humour and honesty, even in difficult times. The best part is his strong bond with his mother, full of love, courage, and laughter.

Very interesting and insightful of what horrific life was inflicted under apartheid in south africa. Humourous but also too much profanity which I find abhorent

What an amazing writing style. Story telling is really an art and Trevor is master in that. There is always a funny side in a serious story. Undoubtedly life in apartheid was tough but Trevor brought so many funny moments on paper that despite his hardship, you will laugh while reading this amazing book.

A book which is fun, inspirational, filled with love and emotions, can teach you historically important lessons, can make you laugh out loud and can make you think, is a rare find. I found one of that kind. Trevor Noah's memoir of his South African days of life 'BORN A CRIME' is love. It is that nonfiction which could break your reader's block if you are in one. I heard about Trevor Noah from one of my ex-colleagues who was Tibetan. She was a huge fan and told me about him during one of our training sessions. I googled him and at that time he was facing a little heat from Indians for making fun of Indian soldiers. I didn't like him back then. A few months back, I accidentally stumbled upon some of his YouTube videos and I understood why she liked him! Trevor is genius, charming, well read, funny, sarcastic, progressive and advocates equality. Oh man! The way he can jumble various accents can literally blow your mind off. He is super famous, but very grounded. He is proud of his race, where he is from and he loves being 'Son of Patricia'. Though 'Born A Crime' is written by Trevor Noah, it is all about his mother and how inspirational her journey is. Trevor loves his mother, but is not hesitant to make fun of her. She made the man who he is now - a gentleman. He had an abusive stepfather who used to hit him and his mother. The way he explains their relation is something extraordinary. Trevor is not complaining, he is stating the facts. He never complains, he states what he feels or takes a sarcastic jab at them. He has been always vocal against the racial discrimination and this book does too. He explains well about the history of apartheid and the cruelities without making it preachy. He has questions and is not afraid to ask. Poor Trevor's first crush and date could be any normal boy's story. He says he doesn't have any regret about anything in his life. You shouldn't give space for regret in your life as it will never help you achieve anything. I can totally connect to it. These are the few things why I couldn't resist falling in love with this genius comedian!! Men like you are a gem and the book you wrote too. I love you, I love you Trevor Noah❤

Everybody should read this one. It'll open a whole new world to you . But, let me warn you if you are soft hearted then some places you probably won't be able to hold tears. So, first get some tissues 🤧 for you then read it.

The best book I ever read

Trevor has provided us with an extremely entertaining, but also informative book on life in South Africa, especially while he was growing up. I highly recommend it.

Trevor knows how to depict sad situations with comedy. Most of the stories told really resonate with the typical African society. Values are instilled in children at an early age. Trevor did you finally meet Zaheera again?

Es gibt Bücher, die sind toll geschrieben und erzählen eine spannende Geschichte mit interessanten Figuren. Man liest sie gerne und ist ein wenig traurig, sobald man die letzte Seite aufschlägt. Wenn der Online Händler des Vertrauens sich meldet und nachfragt: Wie würden Sie xyz bewerten, klickt man besten Gewissens fünf Sterne an Und dann gibt es noch die Bücher, die einen zum Lachen und zum Weinen bringen, die einen kichern, aufschreien, aufspringen lassen, die einem ein dämliches Grinsen ins Gesicht zaubern oder auch ein paar Tränchen in die Augen drücken. Die Bücher, die so spannend sind, dass man die Haltestelle verpasst, und so klug, dass man die Welt nach dem Lesen tatsächlich ein bisschen besser versteht. Die Bücher, die warmherzig und dramatisch zugleich und trotzdem nie kitschig sind. Die Bücher, bei denen man am Ende der Lektüre einfach dankbar ist, dass man über sie gestolpert ist. »Born a Crime« gehört in diese zweite Kategorie. Trevor Noah gehört zur Elite der amerikanischen Late-Night-Talker und moderiert die »Daily Show« auf Comedy Central - mehr dazu auf Youtube. Und er ist der Sohn einer südafrikanischen Mutter vom Stamm der Xhosa und eines schweizerdeutschen Vaters, geboren in den letzten Jahren der Apartheid als das titelgebende »Verbrechen«. Denn im Sinn der Rassentrennung sind Beziehungen wie die seiner Eltern verboten, und Kinder wie ihn gibt es offiziell auch nicht. Aber Trevor ist ein cleveres Kerlchen, und nebenbei mit einer Löwenmutter gesegnet, die ihren Sohn mit Strenge, Gottesfürchtigkeit, einer großen Portion Mut und bescheidensten finanziellen Mitteln durch Kindheit, Pubertät und Erwachsenwerden lotst. Klar, dass das besonders anstrengend ist, wenn man aufgrund seiner Eltern automatisch als Außenseiter abgestempelt wird. Dieses Buch ist auf vielen Ebenen großartig. Zum einen ist es großartig geschrieben, stellenweise haarsträubend spannend, mit einer großen Prise Humor, aber nie, ohne den oft sehr ernsten Hintergrund aus den Augen zu lassen. Den schwierigen Spagat zwischen Lausbubengeschichten und Familiendrama bewältigt es ganz nebenbei. Feingeister könnten sich an den gelegentlich inflationär auftauchenden Wörtern f**c und s**t stören - nur warum sollte der große Trevor eine andere Sprache sprechen als die, die der kleine Trevor benutzt hat? Dann erzählt das Buch eine großartige Geschichte, eigentlich den amerikanischen Traum mit afrikanischem Einschlag: vom Außenseiter in Soweto zum Talkshow-Host in Amerika. Von den großartigen Figuren habe ich ja schon geschrieben. Nebenbei ist es auch noch clever aufgebaut: Jedes Kapitel wird mit einem kurzen Exkurs über einen Aspekt des Lebens in Südafrika eingeleitet. Warum galten unter der Apartheid Japaner als Weiße, Chinesen jedoch als Schwarze? Warum muss eine Katze auf einem südafrikanischen Fußballfeld um ihr Leben fürchten? Die Antwort auf diese Frage erhält man im nachfolgenden Kapitel anhand einer Geschichte aus Trevors Leben. »Born a Crime« erzählt vom Aufwachsen in einem Land im Umbruch, in einer Gesellschaft, die die Apartheid auf dem Papier hinter sich gelassen hat und im dritten Jahrausend angekommen ist - und die in der Realität immer noch von haarsträubendem Aberglauben, allgegenwärtigen Vorurteilen und furchtbarer Brutalität beherrscht wird. Was beim ersten Date alles schiefgehen kann, wenn ein Land elf offizielle Sprachen hat, wie eine Sicherheitskamera einen Ladendieb vor der Polizei rettet oder wie aus »Hitler« ein anerkannter Vorname wurde - das alles und noch viel mehr erzählt »Born a Crime«. Mein Fazit: Eines der wenigen und ganz besonderen Bücher, die einen die Welt nach dem Lesen mit anderen Augen sehen lassen. Lehrreich, unterhaltsam und berührend. Mehr kann ein Buch nicht bieten.

I just devoured this book. Funny, moving, interesting. An amusing biography, beautifully written, with a sense of humour typical of the comedian Trevor is. Also, I didn't know much of the reality before, during and after Apartheid and this book reveals a lot about it from the point of view of the oppressed. But it is also a story about what true education is, about the importance of freedom and Independence. It's a hymn to life and motherhood

Captivating memoir that seamlessly weaves humor and heart, offering a poignant glimpse into the complexities of growing up in post-apartheid South Africa. Noah's storytelling is both witty and insightful, creating a narrative that is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking. His ability to navigate serious subjects with humor makes this book a delightful and enlightening read, leaving readers with a deep appreciation for resilience and the power of laughter in the face of adversity. Noah's unique perspective and storytelling prowess make "Born a Crime" a must-read that resonates long after the last page is turned.